St. Clair County, located in the southwestern part of Illinois and bordered by the Mississippi River and the state of Missouri, boasts a population of approximately 258,000 individuals and spans across 674 square miles.
The county’s principal hub is Belleville, both the largest city in the area and the eighth-largest in the entire state of Illinois. As an integral component of the St. Louis metropolitan region’s Metro East area, St. Clair County possesses a rich historical background and a vibrant cultural scene.
Nonetheless, St. Clair County grapples with some of the highest crime rates not just within the state, but also on a national scale. In accordance with the statistics provided by the FBI, the county witnessed a violent crime rate of 1,684 incidents per 100,000 residents in the year 2019, surpassing the national average of 367 incidents per 100,000 residents by more than threefold.
Furthermore, the property crime rate stood at 3,340 incidents per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national average of 2,110 incidents per 100,000 residents.
Several neighborhoods within St. Clair County are marked by higher rates of serious crimes, including homicides, robberies, assaults, burglaries, and thefts. Drawing upon crime-related data derived from sources such as HomeTownLocator, Niche, and BestNeighborhood, here are the five neighborhoods deemed the most perilous within St. Clair County:
1. East St. Louis
East St. Louis stands as a city within St. Clair County, positioned across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Its population hovers around 26,000 individuals and spans 14 square miles.
In the past, East St. Louis flourished as an industrious urban center with a diverse populace and a lively cultural scene. However, the latter half of the 20th century brought challenges in the form of deindustrialization, racial segregation, urban deterioration, and political misconduct.
East St. Louis has persistently earned a reputation as one of the most perilous cities in the United States. In 2019, it exhibited a violent crime rate of 4,888 incidents per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by over 13 times. Shockingly, the homicide rate reached 96 per 100,000 residents, over 24 times higher than the national average.
Property crime also posed a significant concern, with a rate of 5,374 incidents per 100,000 residents, more than double the national average. Notable areas plagued by high crime rates in East St. Louis encompass the State Street Corridor, Edgemont Park, Lincoln Park, Emerson Park, and Washington Park.
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2. Washington Park
Washington Park stands as a village within St. Clair County, situated adjacent to East St. Louis. Its population, totaling around 4,000 individuals, occupies an expanse spanning two square miles. Established in 1923, Washington Park emerged as a carefully planned enclave catering to African Americans, who, due to racial covenants and discriminatory practices, found themselves excluded from other regions.
However, Washington Park has wrestled with enduring challenges like poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and violence over many decades. By 2019, its incidence of violent crime reached 4,078 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national average by more than elevenfold.
Remarkably, the homicide rate peaked at 75 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by over nineteenfold. Concurrently, the rate of property crime scaled to 4,078 per 100,000 residents, nearly double the national average. Notably hazardous zones within Washington Park encompass the Caseyville Avenue Corridor, Park Drive Corridor, and North Kingshighway Boulevard Corridor.
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3. Centreville
Centreville, located in St. Clair County, is positioned next to East St. Louis and Washington Park. It has a population of approximately 5,000 individuals and covers an area spanning four square miles. Originally incorporated in 1859 as an agricultural community, Centreville later transformed into a hub for coal mining.
Throughout its history, Centreville has grappled with various social and economic difficulties, including challenges related to environmental contamination, deteriorating infrastructure, and public health concerns. In 2019, the city experienced a violent crime rate of 3,487 incidents per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by over nine times.
The homicide rate stood at 60 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national average by more than 15 times. Similarly, the property crime rate reached 3,487 incidents per 100,000 residents, also surpassing the national average. Notable areas with safety concerns in Centreville include the Old Centreville Road Corridor, Bond Avenue Corridor, and Camp Jackson Road Corridor.
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4. Alorton
Alorton, situated in St. Clair County, lies to the south of East St. Louis and Washington Park. With a population of around 2,000 people, it covers a two-square-mile area. Alorton was founded in 1946 as housing for African American workers employed by the nearby Aluminum Ore Company.
Unfortunately, Alorton has faced enduring challenges such as poverty, joblessness, corruption, and crime. In 2019, its violent crime rate reached 3,015 incidents per 100,000 residents, over eight times the national average.
The homicide rate stood at 50 per 100,000 residents, more than 13 times the national average. The property crime rate was also higher than the national average at 3,015 incidents per 100,000 residents. Notable high-risk areas within Alorton include the Bond Avenue Corridor, Alorton Avenue Corridor, and Illinois Route 15 Corridor.
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5. Cahokia
Cahokia is situated in St. Clair County, to the southeast of East St. Louis and Centreville. With a population of approximately 14,000 people, it encompasses an area spanning 10 square miles.
Its origins date back to 1699 when it was established as a French colonial settlement. The village takes its name from the Cahokia Mounds, an ancient Native American urban center designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In recent times, Cahokia has encountered challenges including economic downturn, population reduction, and societal issues. As of 2019, the rate of violent crime was 2,543 per 100,000 residents, almost seven times higher than the national average.
Notably, the homicide rate stood at 40 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national average by over 10 times. Additionally, the property crime rate reached 2,543 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average. Among the areas of particular concern in Cahokia are the Camp Jackson Road Corridor, Water Street Corridor, and Jerome Lane Corridor.
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Conclusion
These represent the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in St. Clair County, Illinois, as indicated by the accessible crime information. Nevertheless, this should not be interpreted as an absence of secure or favorable living areas within the county. Numerous neighborhoods also boast reduced crime levels, superior educational institutions, and increased conveniences.
Examples include O’Fallon, Swansea, Shiloh, Mascoutah, and Millstadt. St. Clair County embodies diversity and history, presenting numerous obstacles, yet equally numerous prospects for advancement and expansion.
